How To Build Your Own Personal Brand

We all associate the term "brand" with major corporations like the Neiman Marcus's, Target's, Forever 21. But today thanks to the digital age, almost every individual has a personal brand. Did she just say personal brand? Absolutely!!! Today, each of us is a brand, and it’s so imperative to curate your personal brand with complete creative control. Here are a few tips on how to build (insert your name here) Inc., ... your personal brand.

YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT.

Start thinking of yourself as a personal brand. What do you wish for people to associate with you when they think of your name? Are you a designer? Fitness guru? Film maker? Is there a certain subject matter or industry in which you want to be perceived as an expert or are there general qualities you want linked to your brand? Once you understand and have a grasp of how you wish your brand to be perceived, you can start building and creating your personal brand.

CHECK YOURSELF

It's simple....Google yourself. Analyzing your online presence is critical. What people are saying about you, images retrieved should all be consistent with your branded message. When you type your name in search engines. the results should be a direct reflection of how you would like to be perceived.

HOME SECURITY

Securing a home in the wide world of the web is just as important as any other brand element. Creating a social presence on the internet is a crucial part of building a brand. It can be as simple as a one to two page site with your portfolio, blog, and links to social media platforms.

FIND THE VALUE

Find ways to add value to your followers and audience lives by creating or curating content that’s in line with your brand. You should be a great resource whether it's a source of inspiration or informative content. Be purposeful in what you share. Every tweet you send, every status update you make, every picture you share, contributes to your personal brand. Understanding how you wish your brand to be perceived, you can start to be more focused on curating a meaningful experience.

FIND YOUR LOOK

Think of finding your look as a comprehensive all inclusive package. The saying has been and will always be "Image is everything." While building your personal brand it's imperative to construct and design a style guide. A style guide is a complete manual that lays out all the specifics of your brand’s stylistic content from color codes, typography selections, sizing, tone, mood, images, and content. Of course, the style guide is for your website and all branded material like business cards etc. But that's not it. I highly believe in a "signature style" or overall image. Take time to play around with your personal style so that your style reflects your industry and lifestyle. Pinterest is your friend for both, your style guide and experimenting with looks.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

Once you have established what your branded message is, how you would like to be perceived and what you will look like, stay focused. Set goals for anchoring yourself as a personal brand and stay focused on why you are creating your (insert your name here), INC. Whether you are setting out to be the next Martha Stewart or leverage for personal opportunities, you are creating your digital footprint.